Social Impact conferences to attend in 2018

We’re back with our list of inspiring conferences in sustainability, CSR, impact investing and all things social impact. Conferences provide opportunities for professional development, career exploration, and developing new partnerships. So whether you’re in the job market, looking to grow your network or just keeping up to date on the latest in social impact, there’s no shortage of opportunities this year. Some, may break the bank more than others, but we believe it’s worth spending whatever professional development budget you have to continuously stay learning (especially as things are changing faster than ever).

ps- The Social Impact Conferences are listed in chronological order.

Related: Read Bmeaningful’s Guide to Robots, AI and the Industrial Revolution

GREENBIZ SUMMIT

When: FEB 6 – 8, 2018

Where: PHOENIX, AZ , JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE

How much: $2,675 – $2,975 (early bird)

Who’s it for: Sustainability leaders

Sustainability leaders from the world’s largest companies gather to explore pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in sustainable business. The event offers a rich blend of presentations, workshops and networking opportunities.  Tickets on sale now- early bird pricing ends soon.

 

Agents of Change 

When: Feb 12-13

Where: San Diego, CA

How much: $349-$649 USD

Who’s it for?: People interested in behaviour change marketing

The 2018 Agents of Change Summit will feature expert panels diving deep into issues and concepts that impact our behaviour change initiatives. Each panelists gives an 8-10 minute TED-like presentation followed by a 20-minute moderated Q&A.

 

THE HEART SERIES

When: February 16-17, 2017

Where: Los Angeles, CA

How much: $679-$779 (early bird ends Jan 31- note early bird tickets start at $279, so next year get on it early!)

Who’s it for: leaders at socially conscious companies

A 2-day event in Southern California Feb. 16 + 17, 2017, for conscious companies to share and learn best practices.

 

Skoll World Forum  

When: April 10-13, 2018

Where: Oxford, England

How much: $1,300-$3,500 USD

Who’s it for: people interested in social entrepreneurship

Skoll World Forum brings together creative and ambitious leaders, thinkers, artists, and innovators to inspire and challenge each other in entrepreneurial approaches to global challenges

 

NTEN (AKA The Nonprofit Technology Conference)

When: April 11-13

Where: New Orleans, LO

How much: $699-$1199 (early bird pricing ends Feb 28)

Who’s it for: Nonprofit professionals

The Nonprofit Technology Conference features over 100 educational sessions, an exhibit hall highlighting the latest nonprofit products and services, and networking events each day.

Engage For Good  

When: May 23-24, 2018

Where: Chicago, IL

How much: $945-$1145 USD

Who’s it for: Nonprofits and corporate citizenship professionals interested in cause marketing

This year’s theme is creating change in changing times. It’s the 16th year of the CSR and cause marketing conference.

SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

When: June 4-7, 2018

Where: Vancouver, BC.

How much: $295- $2,495 USD

Who’s it for: brand and sustainability professionals

SB highlights the brand leaders, organizations and ideas that are shifting global societal aspirations toward a sustainable future.

 

Net Impact 2018

When: October 25–27, 2018

Where: Phoenix, AZ

How much:  $35 – $315 USD

Who’s it for:  Anyone looking to build a purposeful career.

Hundreds of speakers and breakout sessions allow attendees to dig deep into a particular topic of interest and explore groundbreaking ideas, meet role models face-to-face, and jump-start their career path to change the world. This multi-day conference is for anyone looking to build a meaningful career.  Tickets are not on sale yet and website not up yet(as of January 2018).

SOCAP 

When: October 23, October 26, 2018

Where: San Francisco, CA

How much: $895-$1495 USD (early bird pricing ends Jan 31)

Who’s it for: people interested in impact investing and social enterprise

SOCAP18 is the world’s leading conference on impact investing and social enterprise.  Held in San Francisco, SOCAP18 will convene innovators in finance, entrepreneurship, business, government, and philanthropy from across social and environmental issue areas to accelerate the market at the intersection of money and meaning.

Social Finance Forum  

When: November 7-9th, 2018

Where: Toronto, Ontario

How much: $400-$500 CAD

Who’s it for: people interested in impact investing

The Social Finance Forum is the place to find out about the latest in impact investing.Now in its 11th year, the Forum, organized by MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, is Canada’s leading gathering of impact investors, social entrepreneurs and social finance professionals.